An Unforgettable Journey Through Florida's Key West
Key West鈥檚 Coconut Beach Resort has a lot going for it. Not only does this highly rated property (it averages a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Google) boast its own small beach with superb views over the Atlantic, something of a rarity here, but it is also handily located close to Duval Street, Key West鈥檚 liveliest area. This meant that exploring this funky island town on foot was going to be a breeze as pretty much everything to see and do here is either on or close to Duval and, therefore, within walking distance of our resort.
Better still, our home for our first-ever week in this tropical paradise was located at the very bottom end of the 1录-mile long Duval Street, the city鈥檚 main drag, meaning we were on the 鈥渜uiet鈥� side of the island. All of the action we鈥檇 heard about? Well, that was at the opposite end of Duval, which meant a surprisingly relaxed and peaceful stay鈥� until we wanted some of that action for ourselves.
The Southernmost Point Of The Continental US
Car parked (we didn鈥檛 need it for the whole week we were here) and luggage unpacked, we headed first to one of the most photographed spots on the island: The Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. Considered Key West鈥檚 ultimate selfie spot, this iconic landmark is located at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street, a 10-minute walk from our resort and just a couple of minutes away from Duval.
This large red, black, and yellow buoy lives up to its word and marks the southernmost tip of the contiguous United States. Just 90 miles from Cuba, this symbolic reminder of the region's proximity to the Caribbean was erected in 1983 and has been a bucket-list item for visitors ever since.
Tips & Tactics: Expect a lineup to grab a photo, so arrive early to beat the crowds. And as good as a selfie can be, ask an obliging fellow tourist to take the photo for you.
The Key West Butterfly And Nature Conservatory
From this Key West landmark, you鈥檙e just a block from Duval鈥檚 most southerly attraction: The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Here you鈥檒l literally be surrounded by hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the 海角社区, all housed in lush, climate-controlled gardens concealed in glass.
As well as the 60 species of butterflies, a variety of exotic free-flying birds, including some native to the Florida Keys, can also be viewed, along with some flamingos. Handy displays provide details of these colorful creatures, and the butterflies do occasionally land on visitors, so have your camera ready. It鈥檚 certainly a great place to get up close to these amazing creatures, an experience that鈥檚 enhanced by the attraction鈥檚 many flowering plants.
Tips & Tactics: The conservatory has an excellent gift shop with artwork from a variety of local artists who鈥檝e managed to capture these colorful creatures perfectly. Take one home as a memento to brighten your walls.
Key Lime Pie And Cuban Cigars
As we walked up Duval Street, we were able to quickly cross another couple of items off our bucket list: key lime pie. While countless souvenir-style shops claiming to sell the 鈥渂est鈥� version of this Key West staple are everywhere along Duval, we found our very own sweet spot at La Grignote, just three minutes from the Butterfly Conservatory. This French-inspired caf茅 has its own take on this iconic dessert using local, somewhat tart Key limes to give it the famous tangy taste. Mouthwatering and so much better than the mass-produced touristy versions, we tried further up Duval.
Authentic Cuban cigars were next on our list of 鈥渕ust buys鈥� in Key West, and again, we didn鈥檛 have to go far to find them. Duval is lined with souvenir shops selling everything from t-shirts dedicated to Jimmy Buffet鈥檚 Margaritaville to key lime pie-flavored cigars. While we tried a few of these novelty cigars, we wanted something authentic to take home鈥� the real thing. And in Key West, authentic 鈥渟ticks鈥� go back a long way, with the art of crafting hand-rolled cigars a tradition passed down from generation to generation of Cubans.
Our search for the perfect Cuban cigar led us to the Rodriguez Cigar Factory at the top end of Duval. Established in 1984, you can not only buy first-rate Cuban cigars here but can also embark on a fascinating tour that reveals the full process of manufacturing these delightful indulgences.
Tips & Tactics: Another great caf茅/bakery in Key West is Frenchie鈥檚 Caf茅, just a few minutes walk from Duval along United Street. Run by expats from France, they get our vote for Key West鈥檚 best breakfast and the freshest croissants. And while they no longer have a store in Key West, the Original Key West Cigar Factory, established in 1968 and the Keys鈥� oldest cigar company, sells its premium stogies online.
The Hemingway Home and Museum
Not quite mid-way along Duval Street (and a block to the west) is The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Located in Key West鈥檚 鈥淥ld Town鈥� area, this historic property was Hemingway's residence from 1931 to 1939 and is where he penned some of his most famous works, including To Have and Have Not. Built in 1851, this elegant Spanish Colonial-style home has been meticulously preserved and features original furnishings and personal artifacts from the life of one of America鈥檚 greatest writers.
Guided tours are included with admission. And be sure to ask about the attraction鈥檚 famous colony of six-toed cats. Descendants of Hemingway's beloved pet, Snowball, these friendly felines pretty much have the run of the property.
Tips & Tactics: This must-visit museum only sells tickets at the entrance (not in advance), so lineups can be a little long at times. Arrive early or later in the afternoon an hour or so prior to closing at 5 pm. Be sure to spend time wandering the gardens, as there are plenty of quiet corners to really appreciate the setting鈥� and those six-toed felines.
Mallory Square and Key West鈥檚 Famous Sunset Celebration
No visit to Key West is complete without an evening visit to Mallory Square. Located at the north end of Duval, it鈥檚 here you鈥檒l partake in another bucket list must-do: the Sunset Celebration. Set overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, this nightly event has been happening for over 50 years and is so magical an experience you鈥檒l want to attend it at least a couple of times during your Key West getaway. As the sun begins to dip into the Gulf, crowds gather along the waterfront, creating a lively atmosphere filled with street performers, local artists, food vendors鈥� and plenty of anticipation.
Watching the sunset here certainly feels like being part of something special as the sky transforms into brilliant shades of orange, pink, and purple, casting a golden glow over the enthralled onlookers. We did it twice: on our first and again on our last night, and both times, we were enthralled by the sheer enthusiasm of the crowds as the day drew to a close, and a night of fun on Duval Street鈥檚 north end lay ahead of us.
Duval Street鈥檚 Intoxicating Nightlife
As daylight disappears and evening takes over, Duval Street (especially its north end) really kicks into gear. While great restaurants like Pinchers and Blackfin Bistro serve first-rate seafood dishes for seated guests, our favorite spot was the legendary DJ鈥檚 Clam Shack. And don鈥檛 be deceived by its humble exterior (it really does look like a shack!). Here, you鈥檒l be able to grab delicious seafood staples like conch fritters, lobster rolls, and, of course, clams, all served up with delicious dressings and all with little fanfare. If you time it right, you鈥檒l be able to grab a table at the back, but these tend to go fast. Failing that, grab your food and eat as you wander.
Then, of course, there鈥檚 the drinking. Key West is known as a place to party, and partying, of course, usually involves drinking. While there鈥檚 not a noticeable police presence (they鈥檙e discrete, but there), local bylaws do prohibit carrying open alcohol containers, so keep your drinking to the bars and clubs that line Duval. And there鈥檚 no shortage of options. From the Margaritaville Restaurant, inspired by the legendary Jimmy Buffet鈥檚 favorite tipple, to the awesome Abbey cocktail lounge, you鈥檒l never run out of watering holes here.
Tips & Tactics: While sit-down meals are plentiful, you鈥檒l want to book ahead as the best of them fill up fast (you鈥檒l be lucky to get a spot as a walk-in). We discovered early on that some of the best bars don鈥檛 serve food so weren鈥檛 averse to letting patrons bring their DJ Clam Shack or Blue Heaven seafood dinners onto the patio in order to wash it all down with a cocktail鈥� or two. Just be sure to ask first.
The Final Word
Since that first trip to wonderful Key West, my wife and I have visited the self-proclaimed 鈥淐onch Republic鈥� three times, each one as memorable as the first. On that first visit, we drove, and the excitement of traveling the spectacular Overseas Highway from Miami still echoes and is only matched by the sheer pleasure of spending time in Key West. And while we did (and still do) walk everywhere when we got there, you don鈥檛 have to.
In addition to the tour buses, the city operates a free Duval Loop service that runs buses all day from the Atlantic side of town up to the Gulf, with plenty of stops in between. Also, numerous golf cart and scooter rental companies are available, offering an easy-to-park and easy-to-drive alternative to cars, public transit, or walking.
And don鈥檛 feel you have to see everything in Key West in a day or even a week. There鈥檚 no end of fun things to do here, and after four visits, we still haven鈥檛 seen and done everything (a ferry ride and a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park is the big bucket list item still to do). However you get there, however you get around, and however you choose to have fun, I guarantee your Key West journey will be unforgettable.
